Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Language As Inevitable Metaphor. Idea As Inevitable Figment" by Hayden Carruth is a deeply reflective and evocative poem that explores the nuances of memory, the passage of time, and the contrasting perspectives on nature and cultivation between rural and urban settings. Carruth begins with a George Eliot quote, underscoring the theme that our thoughts and actions are deeply intertwined with the metaphors we live by, setting the stage for a contemplation on the ways in which language shapes our understanding of the world.

The poem unfolds as a narrative reminiscence between the speaker and an old friend, Steve Washer, reflecting on the absurdity of political campaigns and the transient nature of such concerns. As their conversation dwindles, the speaker's attention shifts to the tangible and enduring beauty of the Vermont landscape, leading to an expression of admiration for Washer's farm. This moment of sentiment, unusual for the reserved culture of Vermont, opens a space for the speaker to ponder the deeper connections between people, land, and the passage of time.

Washer's response, acknowledging the current state of his farm's cultivation, hints at the ongoing and never-complete work of farming, and perhaps, by extension, the work of living and understanding. This acknowledgment leads the speaker into a vivid description of the natural beauty and diversity of the farm's flora, with particular attention to the "wonderful weeds" that populate the landscape. Through this detailed enumeration of flowers and weeds, Carruth celebrates the untamed and overlooked aspects of nature, challenging conventional notions of beauty and value.

The poem then contrasts this natural, somewhat untidy beauty of the Vermont farm with the meticulously maintained lawns and gardens of more urban or suburban settings. The speaker critiques the artificiality and excessive control exhibited in these spaces, where even violets are deemed unwelcome. This critique extends to a broader condemnation of the human tendency to impose order and uniformity on the natural world, often to its detriment, as seen in the use of poison on the land.

Carruth's reflection on the loss of natural beauty and diversity under the guise of cultivation serves as a metaphor for the broader human condition. The poem suggests that in our pursuit of order and progress, we may lose sight of the inherent value of the wild, the uncontrolled, and the imperfect. The speaker's longing for the colors and smells of the Vermont meadow at sunset represents a yearning for a more authentic and harmonious existence, where the complexity and messiness of life are embraced rather than eradicated.

"Language As Inevitable Metaphor. Idea As Inevitable Figment" is a poignant meditation on memory, language, and our relationship with the natural world. Through the lens of a personal anecdote, Carruth invites the reader to consider the ways in which our perceptions and articulations of the world around us are deeply influenced by the metaphors we construct and live by. The poem is a call to appreciate the beauty in the untamed and to question the values that lead us to prefer uniformity over diversity, control over freedom.

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